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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Training Changes

Hello everyone! The theme song today is Changes by Tupac (or David Bowie if that's more your speed). I hope that you read my post on Paleo Running Momma yesterday, where I talked about what NOT to do while marathon training. I mentioned what went wrong during the Biggest Loser Half a few weeks ago, and today I'll be talking about what changes I'm making for my next training cycle (which starts soon!).

New training plan

I've only used Hal Higdon's training plan for my half and full marathons. I don't really think it's worked for me for a few reasons, including too many junk miles (which I'll talk about below) and not enough variety. By the end of the cycle, I was bored and unmotivated. I decided to try a tougher training plan to really push myself and try to hit my goal time of 2 hours. I actually found a plan to get sub-1:50 in the half, and will be modifying it a bit for myself. I'll be breaking it down monthly and weekly when I start up and see what happens!

Less junk mileage

As I mentioned above, I think my previous training plan had too many junk miles. If you're unfamiliar with the term, Active.com explains: "junk miles are the ones you run that don't produce a specific physiological benefit." Looking back at my last training log, most of my runs were described as "ok" and my times didn't really improve much. I wasn't running these easy, as recovery, or hard, to improve. They just added mileage on to my week, and didn't really help to improve anything. In my new plan, each run has a purpose, and I'll stick to the goal paces as much as possible.

More consistent cross training

Last cycle, I introduced cross training to my plan. I think this really helped out and made me a stronger runner, specifically in my upper body. I definitely want to continue this going forward, and be more consistent and strict with this.

No skimping on the long runs

I mentioned this in my guest post yesterday, and is definitely my biggest hurdle in training. I'm just going to suck it up and do my long runs (each and every one of them!) This alone should help improve my time drastically!

Better diet

In the past, I haven't really been serious about tracking food or making sure I have enough calories in a day. I can definitely tell a difference in my performance based on what I eat the day before and the hours leading up to a run. This time, I want to better track my food and make sure I'm eating enough, as well as figure out what works best for me as far as fueling goes.

Train on similar conditions as race

I mentioned before that I trained mostly in hilly areas (they don't call it Squirrel Hill for nothing) for a flat race. I'm doing another relatively flat race in October and will change my long runs to a flat area. This is also run on a crushed-stone path, and luckily one of the flattest areas in Pittsburgh is a crushed-stone path that goes beside the river! I'll be on the lookout for my northside girls down there!

Race more

I did do quite a few races during my last training cycle. I want to continue that, but have the distances gradually increase (I mostly did 5k's last time). The point is to see how my training is coming along and practice fueling, so I need to find some races to do!

What changes have you made to your training in the past?What training plans do you follow?How is your week going so far?

How about the Shrek 2 soundtrack Changes featuring David Bowie? That's fun to workout to... In the past, I used plans that I knew I could change up and did have variety. The main thing is I needed something that fit with my schedule, and that one seemed to work.

I used to follow Hidgon's training plans as well, but I now have started combining what I have found works best with me into my own training plan. I agree that strength training definitely helps - I've been trying to get into plyo's to strenghten my fast twitch muscle fibers and to help increase muscle stability. I loved your post on Michele's blog yesterday - I think we're all guilty of making some of those mistakes! Hope you have a fabulous day : )

Making my own plan was really fun and I'm interested to see how it works out! I hope that adding plyo's helps you..they're supposed to be fantastic for runners but that's a bit too intense for me right now! I'm glad that you liked the post..I loved yours as well!!

Yeah, I used to log close to 100 miles per week but it was only when I started implementing speed work that I got my race times to go down. I used to run a LOT of miles, but most (all) of them felt like junk miles.

I can totally relate to wanting to cross train more during my next training cycle (although, who knows when that will be! ;) ) I barely did any strength training before I ran my marathon and I totally regretted it come race day!

I haven't followed a specific training plan in the past but will agree that junk miles aren't worth running. I try to make my runs have purpose, even if their purpose is just to go slow and recover from the speed work the day before. It's really important and makes a positive difference.

I like Hal and his plans have gotten me safely through 4 marathons and a few half marathons, but I'm trying out Hansons this time. They are a high mileage plan, but every run is designed to either push you or help you recover, while keeping your legs tired.

I use to be terrified of racing during training for a marathon. My last full training I raced five times and did awesome, then ended with a marathon PR! It's one of those things we have to be ready mentally for. I know you'll hit your goal, you are so ready!

I've been thinking about switching up my marathon training plan... for half marathons, I run 3 times a week, and for marathons, I've run 4 days a week - but I'm debating changing that to 3 also due to the same "junk mile" issue!

I've always formed my own plan based very loosely on Hal Higdon's. But I admit I have trouble following a plan closely. But I am very good with the long weekly run and doing the appropriate mileage for that. I'll eagerly be following your next training cycle.

What really helped me was running with purpose. For example: Mondays were my track/speed workout days; Wednesdays were tempo runs; Friday were mid-distance slow days then a long run on Saturday. I like incorporating races into training-breaks up the monotony. Just be careful in racing too hard because after a hard race and then running 2 days later - your body will most likely feel it. Recovery is key. Excited to see how training goes!!! :)